Auburn 12 Opponents in 12 Days: Jacksonville State

Auburn University officials say the display area of the new football scoreboard at Jordan-Hare Stadium is expected to measure 190 feet by 57 feet. The video board cost $3.5 million.(Photo: Albert Cesare/Advertiser file)Buy Photo

Editor’s note: Over the 12 days leading up to the beginning of preseason camp, the Advertiser will take a look at each of Auburn’s 12 regular season games.

After starting the season off against Louisville in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, the Tigers will make their home debut the second week of the season against FCS foe Jacksonville State.

This game will likely not be circled on Auburn’s schedule, but you can bet it is for the in-state Gamecocks. The reigning Ohio Valley Conference champions are coming off of a 10-win season under second-year coach John Grass. Auburn will be heavily favored, and fans will get to see the 2015 Tigers for the first time and get to check out the new video board, which is the largest in the country.

Game 2

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Date: Sept. 12

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

TV: SEC Network

Coach: John Grass (10-2 in one year; second season with Jacksonville State)

2014 record: 10-2, 8-0 OVC (conference champion) Series history: First meeting between the two teams

Former Tigers: Two former Auburn players will be on the opposing sideline, defensive linemen Devaunte Sigler and Chris Landrum. Both players were members of the post-championship 2011 recruiting class. The two former Tigers combined for 181/2 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season, and will probably be playing with something to prove back at Jordan-Hare.

Watch the legs: Jacksonville State had the No. 4 rushing offense in the FCS last season (285.3 yards per game), in large part to the dual-threat ability of quarterback Eli Jenkins. The Tigers struggled against running quarterbacks last season, resulting in two losses. Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott ran for 121 yards and two scores, Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace ran for 56 yards and a touchdown, and Alabama’s Blake Sims scrambled for 23 yards and a score. Auburn will have to keep an eye on Jenkins’ playmaking ability.

History in Tigers favor: In their last five games against FCS opponents (Samford twice, Western Carolina, Alabama A&M and Chattanooga), the Tigers have won by an average score of 48.4 to 11.4. Last year against Samford, Auburn won 31-7.